Last Updated: 21 Nov, 2022 | Views: 353
Age: 99
Profession: Politician
Other Profession(s): Activist
Higher Education: Graduate
About (Profile/Biography):
Morarji Ranchhodji Desai was a politician and Indian independence campaigner who led the Janata Party-formed government as India's fourth prime minister from 1977 until 1979. He held a number of significant government positions over his lengthy political career, including Chief Minister of Bombay State, Home Minister, Finance Minister, and Second Deputy Prime Minister of India. Desai was a strong candidate for the role of prime minister after Lal Bahadur Shastri passed away, but he was beaten by Indira Gandhi in 1966. The cabinet of Indira Gandhi appointed him Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance until 1969.
Career:
In 1952: He became Bombay's Home Minister before India's independence and later became the state's Chief Minister.
In 1964: Desai was outflanked by Lal Bahadur Shastri in the leadership contest following the death of Prime Minister Nehru.
In 1966: Desai once again became a contender for the top job after Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri passed away unexpectedly after only 18 months in power.
In 1969: Desai entered the Indian National Congress (Organisation) wing of the party after the Congress party broke up.
In 1980: The Janata Party General Election was contested by Desai as a senior politician, but he did not run for office.
Achievements and Awards:
In 1931: He joined the All India Congress Committee and served as the Gujarat Pradesh Congress Committee's Secretary until 1937.
In 1990: He was honored with the Nishan-e-Pakistan.
In 1991: Desai was awarded the Bharat Ratna.
Unknown Facts:
He served as Home Minister during Jawahar Lal Nehru's leadership and as Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister under Indira Gandhi.
He went on a prolonged hunger strike to support the Gujarati Nav Nirman movement.
